I arrived in Antigua on Tuesday early evening after a hellish time of it going through customs in both Mexico AND Guatemala. I loved flying Air Mexicana, but having to stop in Mexico city and use my my ENTIRE 1 hour and 25 minute stopover to go through that mile long immigration line for no reason at all when I wasn't even walking out of the airport? Total crap and stressful beyond imagination! I made my connecting plane just before they closed the door. CRAP.
Air Mexicana: the airline that actually still gives you full meals, even on a one hour flight! And the food was, wait for it, GOOD! Who knew?
I am staying at El Rosario which is run by the very lovely Olga. Olga speaks not one word of English. Challenging? Yes.... But, my friend Deet lives on the property and she helped set me up. And I have an enormous studio with a waterfall shower with fabulous hot water and a wonderful little fireplace. I also get three delicious home cooked meals included in my room rate. And how much am I paying a day here, you ask? $20!!! And I get purified water and access to the main house to get anything else I need as well. Oh, El Rosario is right across the street from meson Panza Verde, my favorite hotel here with yoga classes and a sweet little bar. In fact, I went to an art gallery opening there last night!
Part of my studio at El Rosario
With friends at Meson Panza Verde
I've become friends with Yael, her daughter Julia, and Trish who all hail from the US. I went out to the bar where Trish is bartending at night, Rumbar, and Yaul, Julia and I drank Mojitos and flopped out on the cushions laid out upstairs on the floor flooded in candlelight. We got home late but didn't care. We had such a great time!
I have found my Spanish school, Academia Colonial, and will begin my tutoring either tomorrow or on Monday. I will write more about this later. Julia and Trish both study here and Jean Paul, the young American owner from New Orleans is a doll and has let me come and hang out here to use the free WiFi. As I sit there writing this it is raining and I am under a covered patio with the mixed sounds of Spanish and English around me. I can smell the banana bread that Jean Paul makes for all who visit baking in the oven. Heaven...
Oh, and Jean Paul, who also runs Rumbar downstairs, has the most exquisite dance studio space upstairs. Did I mention he offers cooking classes here as well? Don't think I'm not in talking to him about yoga and cooking workshops. I can see it. That space is so calling my name!
Have I mentioned how much I love coming back here? I always feel like I'm returning to an old lover who cherishes me. I feel so embraced and blissful here. And how nice is it to be welcomed with warmth and friendship in a far off land?
The sign left to welcome me by Deet on my studio door
Off to tea and banana bread then. More in the coming days...
Comments (9)
Kathy, how wonderful to have your "coming home" be filled with warm welcomes. Enjoy and we will be waiting for updates every now and then.
Posted by Eden | August 14, 2008 9:39 PM
Posted on August 14, 2008 21:39
Kathy, it sounds like you have found an amazing spot - at an amazing deal, too. Enjoy your little spot in heaven...
Posted by Krista | August 14, 2008 10:06 PM
Posted on August 14, 2008 22:06
It all sounds utterly fabulous! Glad you made it safe and to hear you are settling in once again. Keep having a wonderful time! It's easy to see and perfectly clear by the smile on your face :-)
Posted by Maria | August 14, 2008 10:36 PM
Posted on August 14, 2008 22:36
Sounds like a delightful time to me!
Posted by Deb R | August 15, 2008 5:15 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 05:15
Oh how lovely! I've been up in Brisbane this week and am going home to cold Canberra tomorrow.
Posted by Leslie | August 15, 2008 5:26 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 05:26
Wow. Can I come and play too?
Posted by diana | August 16, 2008 2:30 AM
Posted on August 16, 2008 02:30
So happy to read that you are back in your little spot of heaven. What a wonderful sign! I was surprised to hear about the meal being good. Maybe this airline should give our airlines a few lessons. Enjoy!!
Posted by girasoli | August 16, 2008 10:45 PM
Posted on August 16, 2008 22:45
Wow! What a bargain you have found!
Keep telling us about your adventures so we can live vicariously!
Posted by nancyhol | August 17, 2008 11:07 AM
Posted on August 17, 2008 11:07
I'm coming with Diana, oh, don't I wish. Love reading your posts, even when I'm late to the party.
Posted by Marcia | August 17, 2008 12:15 PM
Posted on August 17, 2008 12:15